Despite the positive forecast, the overall growth in this year’s “golden quarter” is modest compared to the 2.3 per cent uptick in 2017.

Grocery spend is set to drive the overall growth, as food inflation leads to a 2.5 per cent increase in this category.

Meanwhile, non-food spend is forecast to grow at 1.6 per cent, with health and beauty predicted to be the best performing retail sector.

However, GlobalData UK retail research director Patrick O’Brien warned that low consumer confidence and confusion over Brexit would inhibit big-ticket spend, and that trading down to value retailers is becoming more widespread.